interRAI Announces New President, Board Appointments, and Organizational Updates
January 26, 2026
Following the recent announcement of the retirement of its Founding President, Dr. Brant E. Fries, interRAI is pleased to share important updates regarding its leadership, Board of Directors, and organizational structure.
Appointment of New President
Effective immediately, Dr. John P. Hirdes, PhD CM FRSC FCAHS, has been appointed President of interRAI.
Dr. Hirdes is a University Professor in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo, with a cross‑appointment to the Balsillie School of International Affairs. He is a Member of the Order of Canada, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to health services research, assessment systems, mental health, aging, quality measurement, and quantitative research methods.
“interRAI is a unique international collaboration, built on scientific integrity, shared values, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations of all ages,” said Dr. Hirdes. “I am honoured to assume the role of President following the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Fries. As we move forward, my priority is to support our global community of researchers, clinicians, and policy experts in advancing innovation, strengthening implementation, and ensuring that interRAI’s work continues to inform better care and better health policy worldwide.”
Recognition of Dr. Brant Fries
interRAI extends its deep gratitude to Dr. Brant Fries for his visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to improving care through rigorous science. His work laid the foundation for interRAI’s global impact and enduring success, and his legacy will continue to guide the organization’s future.
Board and Network Leadership Appointments
As part of this leadership transition, interRAI is announcing the following key appointments:
Dr. Jeffrey Harman – Treasurer
Dr. Jeffrey Harman, PhD, has been appointed Treasurer of interRAI.
Dr. Harman is a health economist and health services researcher and serves as Professor and Co‑Director of the Center for Medicine & Public Health Policy and Practice in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine at the Florida State University College of Medicine. His research focuses on health services utilization and expenditures, with particular emphasis on the impact of health policy on outcomes and costs for vulnerable populations, including individuals with limited incomes and those experiencing mental illness and addiction.
Dr. Harman brings extensive expertise in health economics, policy analysis, and fiscal oversight to the Treasurer role, supporting strong financial governance for interRAI.
Dr. Andrew Costa – Vice President, Operations
Dr. Andrew P. Costa, PhD, has been appointed Vice President of Operations for interRAI.
Dr. Costa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University and holds a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Integrated Care for Seniors. He serves as Research Director of the St. Joseph’s Health System Centre for Integrated Care. Dr. Costa is widely recognized for his work in health system performance, integrated care, aging, and the use of large‑scale health data to improve care delivery.
In his role as Vice President – Operations, Dr. Costa will support operational coordination, strategic implementation, and the continued strengthening of interRAI’s global research and development infrastructure.
Dr. Christopher Perlman – Chair, interRAI Network for Mental Health
Dr. Christopher M. Perlman, PhD, has been appointed to the role of Chair, interRAI Network for Mental Health (iNMH).
Dr. Perlman is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on improving health systems for individuals with mental health conditions across the life span, with particular emphasis on the measurement of quality of care, mental health assessment systems, shared decision‑making, suicide and addiction assessment, and health services utilization. Dr. Perlman has been a long‑standing contributor to interRAI’s mental health research and instrument development and brings deep expertise in both science and implementation to this leadership role. [uwaterloo.ca]
Dr. Perlman succeeds Dr. John P. Hirdes in his role as Chair, interRAI Network for Mental Health. iNMH has grown to be one of the largest scientific networks within interRAI bringing together experts in mental health and intellectual disabilities from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.
Organizational Updates
In conjunction with these leadership appointments, interRAI is implementing several organizational updates designed to support its continued international growth, including:
- Strengthened executive leadership roles
- Enhanced coordination of international research and implementation activities
- Continued investment in scientific integrity, governance, and member engagement
These updates position interRAI to respond effectively to evolving health system challenges while maintaining its longstanding commitment to evidence‑based assessment and global collaboration.